Electric-lamp socket.



G. S. JOYCE.

ELECTRIOLAMP SOCKET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 31, 1913.

1,102,757., v Patented July 7, 1914;

GERALD S. JOYCE, O1? GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC-LAMP SQCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July '7, 1914.

Application filed July 31,1913. Serial No. 782,334.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, GERALD S. Jo ce, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gloucester, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Lamp Sockets; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention comprehends improvements in electric lamp sockets, and relates more particularly to the circuit closing means therefor.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide'an electric lamp socket, which will be extremely simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, artistic in design, and very practical.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide an electric lamp socket wherein a rotatable annulus or ring is provided for making or breaking a circuit, through a pair of spring pressed plungers, or brushes, acting upon the inner side of the ring.

With these and other objects in view, as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawin'gs, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation, of my improved socket, partly broken away and part in section, and Fig. 21is a horizontal sectional View.

Referring in detail to the drawing by numerals, 1 designates the preferably porcelain base, forming a part of my improved socket. This base is inclosed in a suitable casing or shell 2 and is'formed with a transverse recess into which is fitted a tubular member 3. This tubular member is formed of a suitable non-conducting material and is divided centrally by a partition 4 into two sections. A metallic lining 5, in the form of a tube closed at one end. is placed within each of the sections of the tubular member 3. Wires 6 and 7 are connected respectively to the linings 5 and form part of a circuit to be traced later. Plungers 8 and 9, of a suitable conducting material, slide Within the linings 5 of the tubular member 3, and are forced outwardly by means of expansive spiral springs 10.

A ring, or annulus 11 revolves'about the central portion of the base 1, and is formed- With a plurality of notches 12 upon its inner edge. The outer edge of the ring is prefer ably knurled or roughened in any desired manner so as to provide a good gripping surface. A wire13 is embedded in the ring 11, which latter is formed of a nonconducting material, such as hard rubber. A plurality of lugs 14 are connected to the wire 13 and extend inwardly therefrom so as to form contact members, said lugs alternating with the notches 12. Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the inner edge of the ring 11 iscut away adjacent each of the lugs 14: so as to form with said lugs a recess somewhat similar in shape to the notches 12. 1

An outer shell, or casing 15 incloses the inner shell 2 and the sleeve member 16, .into which an incandescent light is adapted to be screwed.

VVhen the parts are arranged, as shown in Fig. 2, current may flow through the wire 6 to the corresponding metallic lining 5,

through this lining to the plunger 9, and

from the plunger 9 through one of the lugs 14 and wire 13, to the corresponding lug 14. From this last mentioned lug the current flows through the plunger 8 and lining surrounding the same, to theiwire, 7, which may be connected to the sleeve 16, which engages the base of the lamp. The current then flows through the filament of the lamp and back to its course through the return wire '17. It will be apparent that a rotation of the ring or annulus 11 in either direction will break the circuit by moving the plungers 8 and 9 from contact with the lugs 14..

The plungers will seat in the notches 12 and lock the ring against accidental movement. From the fore oing description taken in connection with t e accompanying drawing,

it will be evident that I have provided a very simple, practical, and durable electric light socket, wherein the circuitmay be.

opened and closed by simply rotating a ring or annulus through a very slight arc.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: v

1. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a tubular member fitted Within said base, spring pressed plungers slidable within the tubular member and insulated from each other, a rotatable ring surrounding the base, the plungers bearing against the inner edge of said ring, and a plurality of electrically connected contact points formed upon said inner edge, a rotation of the ring causing the plungers to be engaged with, or disengaged from said contact points.

2. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a tubular member supported in said base, said tubular member being of a non-conducting material, a pair of metallic linings fitted within the tubular member and spaced from one another, current conducting wires connected to said linings, spring pressed plungers movable within the linings, a ring mtatable about the base and engaged upon its inner edge by said plungers, and a plurality of electrically connected contact members carried upon the inner edge of said ring, a rotation of the ring causing the plungers to engage said. contact members or to be disengaged therefrom.

3. In a device of the character described, a base, a tubular member fitted within said base and divided into two sections, a metallic lining fitted within each of said sections, a current conducting wire connected to each of said linings, spring pressed plungers operable within the linings and insulated from each other, a rotatable ring revoluble about the base, a continuous wire embedded within the ring, and a plurality of contact lugs secured to said wire and adapted to be engaged by said plungers.

4.. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a pair of spring pressed plungers operable within the base and projecting beyond the periphery thereof said plungers being insulated from each other, a ring rotatable about the base and having notches formed upon its inner edge, a continuous wire embedded within the ring, a plurality of contact members connected to said wire and opening upon the inner edge of the ring between the said notches, and means for connecting the plungers in circuit, a rotation of the ring causing the plungers to engage a pair of said contact members, whereby a circuit is closed and a further rotation of the ring causing the plungers to engage in a pair of notches, whereby the circuit is opened. 4

5. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a ring rotatable around said base and longitudinally movable means coacting with the ring for making and breaking a circuit as the ring is rotated.

6. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a pair of metallic rods insulated from each other andprojecting beyond the periphery of said base, a ring rotatable around said base and engaging the extremities of said rods, and electrically connected contacts carried by said ring for simultaneous engagement with the rods.

7. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a pair of metallic rods carried by said base and projecting laterally beyond the periphery thereof, said rods being insulated from each other, a ring revoluble around the base and engaging the extremities of said rods, a continuous conductor embedded in said ring and contacts fixed to said structure and adapted to simultaneously engage the rods.

8. In an electric lamp socket, a base, a pair of spring pressed plungers operable within the base and projecting beyond the periphery thereof, said plungers being insulated from each other, a ring rotatable about the base and engaging the extremities of said plungers and electrically connected contacts carried by the ring for simultaneous engagement with the plungers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GERALD S. JOYCE. lVitnesses: I

MAUD B. PEEPLES, HERMAN R. JOYCE. 

